Quick Facts
Biography
Rear Admiral George Eugene Belknap (January 22, 1832 – 7 April 1903) was an officer in the United States Navy. USS Belknap (DD-251) was named for him.
Born in Newport, New Hampshire, Belknap was appointed a Midshipman in 1847. He commanded the monitor Canonicus during the attacks on Battle of Fort Fisher, and the sloop-of-war Hartford during the Formosa Expedition of 1867. He was the senior officer present during the riots following David Kalākaua's election as the King of Hawaii in 1874. Appointed rear admiral 12 February 1889, he retired 22 January 1894.
Belknap was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Veteran Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) and an Honorary Companion of the Military Order of Foreign Wars.
He was the father of Rear Admiral Reginald R. Belknap who served as national Commander-in-Chief of MOLLUS from 1947 to 1951.
Belknap died at Key West, Florida, 7 April 1903.
A portrait of Belknap is on display in Luce Hall at the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
Dates of Rank
- Midshipman - October 8, 1847
- Passed Midshipman - June 10, 1853
- Master - September 15, 1855
| Lieutenant | Lieutenant Commander | Commander | Captain | Commodore | Rear Admiral |
| O-3 | O-4 | O-5 | O-6 | O-7 | O-8 |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| September 16, 1855 | July 15, 1862 | July 15, 1866 | January 25, 1875 | June 2, 1885 | February 12, 1889 |